Labour must fulfil promise to introduce clean air act, charities urge
Summary
More than 60 charities have asked the UK government to create a new clean air law to reduce pollution, including banning wood-burning stoves and diesel vehicles. Experts say wood smoke is very harmful and current rules are outdated and not properly enforced, while the stove industry has been lobbying against strict regulations.Key Facts
- Charities want a clean air act to lower pollution and protect health.
- Wood burning in cities causes toxic particles as harmful as coal smoke.
- From August 2024 to August 2025, over 15,000 complaints about wood burning were made in England, but only 24 fines were given.
- The Labour Party promised a clean air act in 2023 but dropped it in the election manifesto.
- The stove industry has met many times with government officials to influence policy.
- The government’s consultation on wood burning favored health warnings rather than bans.
- New guidance allows wood stoves in new homes despite earlier plans to require low-carbon heating.
- Experts urge ending new sales of wood stoves and helping people move to cleaner heating methods.
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